Former Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team defender Keyeno Thomas and ex-Police FC and San Juan Jabloteh defender Karlon Murray were among eight footballers banned for life today, according to a statement by world governing body, FIFA.

A ninth player, George Owino Audi of Kenya, was banned for ten years and given a fine of CHF 15,000 (TT$114,000).

Photo: Former Trinidad and Tobago international defender Keyeno Thomas (left) clashes with USA forward Brian Ching during international football action.

FIFA ruled that the players were guilty of match-fixing—or trying to unlawfully influence match results—in violation of article 69.1 of its Disciplinary Code.

The ruling means the guilty players are ‘banned from taking part in any kind of football-related activity at both national and international level (administrative, sports or any other) for life.’

Thomas, a giant defender from Point Fortin, made 74 senior international appearances for Trinidad and Tobago between 1998 and 2005—playing alongside the likes of Dwight Yorke, Russell Latapy, David Nakhid and Shaka Hislop in a golden era for the local game.

He represented the Colorado Rapids in the United States’ Major League Soccer (MLS) as well as San Juan Jabloteh and Joe Public in the local Pro League.

Murray never represented the Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team but competed at Concacaf Club Championship level with Jabloteh. He has also retired from football and, at present, works as a SRP at E99 in the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

The FIFA ruling supposedly followed ‘an extensive investigation into various international matches that Wilson Raj Perumal attempted to manipulate for betting purposes.’

Perumal, a Singaporean, was arrested for match fixing in Finland in 2011 and sentenced to two years in prison.

He subsequently wrote an autobiography detailing his shenanigans in which he claimed to fix games during the 2010 World Cup qualifying series and the Atlanta 1996 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games as well as friendlies involving teams such as South Africa, Bulgaria, Colombia, Guatemala, Denmark, Brazil and Tanzania.

FIFA, however, made no high profile convictions and did not give details on the matches whose results Thomas and Murray were accused of having manipulated. The misdeeds seem likely to have occurred during club duty for both players.

Although the charge might shock local football fans, insiders have been aware of allegations of match-fixing in domestic games for years. At present, Pro League players generally receive between TT$2,500 and TT$8,000 a month for their services. However, match-fixers allegedly offer players between US$5,000 (TT$34,000) and US$10,000 (TT$68,000) to manipulate match outcomes.

Wired868 understands that Concacaf investigated more than a dozen Trinidad and Tobago players over the past decade including several international footballers and at least one former World Youth Cup player. During that period, at least two Pro League teams sacked players owing to match-fixing allegations while former National Senior Team head coach Stephen Hart confided to staff members that he was troubled by rumours around two of his players—one was selected for one national tour but not recalled while the other featured more regularly in the squad, although he was sparingly used.

Sport attorney Dr Emir Crowne said he was unaware of whether Trinidad and Tobago had a specific statute on its law books that deals with match-fixing but he felt both players could be punished for fraud.

“It doesn’t seem Trinidad has any specific laws geared towards match fixing,” said Crowne, “but there is no reason why match-fixing type offences couldn’t be prosecuted under existing criminal laws that cover cheating, or fraud, or conspiracy to defraud, or false pretences.

“There is no reason why match-fixing wouldn’t be caught under those existing laws anyway. So it is perfectly prosecutable in Trinidad given the existing structure that we have.”

Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith, an avid sport fan and former top flight hockey player, gave a qualified ‘no comment’ to the ban on the lawman, on account of his current stand-off with the local media.

“Certain arms of the media have their own agenda politically, based on crime and they have been saying I like the limelight,” Griffith told Wired868. “There is a saying that you must be careful what you ask for because you might get it, so for the Paul Richards and Omatie Lyders and so on out there, I am ‘Stephen Williams-ing’ myself.

“I have been putting my neck out and making myself accessible to the media because I understand the importance of the media; but instead they have been trying to embarrass me and lick me up.

“So I am staying away from the media for the next few weeks.”

Wired868 was unable to reach Thomas or Murray up to the time of publication. FIFA claimed the nine players were notified of their fate today.

Terry Fenwick, a four-time Pro League champion winning coach and former England World Cup defender, said he was stunned to know two of his former Jabloteh players were involved in match-fixing.

“I am very shocked by it,” said Fenwick. “It is something that I have never been party to. And to think that something like that could happen in tiny Trinidad and Tobago…”

About Lasana Liburd

Lasana Liburd is the CEO and Editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.

30 comments

Lasana, do you have knowledge of the 2 national players Hart was worried about re: matching fixing allegations? I never expected 2 T&T players to be involved in matching fixing (though it might be small)

I do know but I don’t think it fair to reveal names as it was not proven. Mind you, match-fixing is very difficult to prove. Unless you can show an exchange of money, even the fact that a player might take a spot kick in stoppage time of a Concacaf Champions League match, put the ball on an opponent’s foot and fall over… The opponent scores in an unguarded net. That player then asks for treatment on the wrong foot before being stretchered off… And then turns up for national training the next day without discomfort in either ankle…
Well, even that proves nothing, although there might have been money on that scoreline. Because without being able to prove collusion or the transfer of money, you have nothing.

We act as though corruption just happens. Remember that corruption grows in fertile areas – often dark because we don’t see it. We then see it when it emerges by which time the deeds are done! That’s why creating a system of checks and balances and good governance is the only way out

Jo Ann and further our country has a long history of corruption! I still remember being upset by the words of an old energy expat who lived in tt for about 12 yrs. “it’s hard to trust anything trinidadians day. Theres always another story”. I didn’t agree and we debated it. I respected him because I had worked with him in different countries and I know he genuinely cared. Then I moved back to tt to live and work in 2002, and I realized that he was right! I’ve experienced senior ministers, executives, common people always playing the zig zag game. It’s a part of us! To change it requires string structure and plenty guts

hmmm, that explains why in the final game of the CONCACAF champions league in 2009, Earl Jean came to me before the game and said he got news that a couple of players were planning to sell the game. Maraton needed to win vs Jabloteh, in order to finish in the top two, and oust DC United. We ended up losing 4-2 on the night with some Shambolic defending. Hmmm

WOW! This would have serious repercussions on our football if we really don’t find a way to stop this, esp at CONCACAF Club level where big money is invested in those teams. Earl Jean Travis Mulraine can anything be done before rather than after? Cause a loss thru this isn’t reversible for the Club

3 weeks agoby wired868Save boi! T&T Maestros goalkeeper Jaydon Thomas keeps out a shot with the help of the bar during RBYL North Zone Under-13 action at the Queen’s Park Savannah on 27 April 2019. Photo: Allan V Crane/CA-Images/RBYL

3 weeks agoby wired868Chip off the old block? Mayo Youths attacker Tyrique Phillip (left) is on the prowl during RBYL South Zone Under-13 action on 7 April 2019. Tyrique is the son of Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team goalkeeper and 2001 World Youth Cup player, Marvin Phillip. Photo: Allan V Crane/CA-Images/Wired868